Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya marks the site where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under a pipal tree around the 5th century BC. The current pyramidal brick tower rises 55 meters and dates to a 5th- or 6th-century AD reconstruction, though the site's sacred status extends back over 2,300 years. A descendant of the original Bodhi tree stands behind the temple, and a red sandstone slab known as the Vajrasana—Diamond Throne—marks the exact meditation spot. The UNESCO World Heritage Site draws Buddhist pilgrims from across Asia year-round. If you're making a trip of it, consider other main attractions in Bodh Gaya, like Great Buddha Statue and Bodhi Tree.